unusual problems?

My '98 2.0 petrol suffers from what seems to be the common idling problem affecting this model, however in the last couple of days 2 other problems have come to the fore and any help or advice on diagnosing and repairing these problems is appreciated.

1. There is a clonking noise from the lower front area of the car when I pull away. The noise is on the offside and sounds like 'clunk, clunk' and doesn't happen at any other time. There is no noise when on full steering lock.

2. The car slips out of 5th gear by itself. When I hold the gear lever in place and accelerate or decelerate I can feel what seems like a rocking sensation coming through the lever and it seems most likely for it to slip out of gear when I take my foot off the throttle.

Thanks in advance, Nathan

For the gear skip problem check the gear box bead and the gear leaver bead.... I hope it might have gone........ If not then it will be a gear box problem.....

The noise need more information’s:........ if it is a knocking ignition noise means then it would be a problem in the knock sensor or the timing will be over advance..... ok...bye...


Regards,
Jeyakar.T

Thanks Sammy, not sure what the gearbox or gearlever beads are, can you explain please? Thanks.

Also the noise isn't an engine noise its from the suspension or drive I think.
I was wondering if the front brakes are sticking?

thanks, nathan

Suspention could be anti-rolbar bushes (although you would hear a knocking when going over bumps too), loose subframe/wishbones, or Break Caliper loose.

I now realise that the clunking noise from the front of the car is the outer cv joint been quoted £65 for a reconditioned unit and £73 for a new one, both with 2 years or 24,000 mile warranty.

Do these prices sound fair?

As for the problem of the car dropping out of 5th gear I still dont know for sure what is causing this only that now when it happens and I put it back into gear there is a noise from the 'box.

Could it be the synchro has gone?

Thanks, Nathan.

Not a Syncro gone as the Syncro is only used to engage the gear (and save having to double de-clutch) so one in that should be it.
The issue is either the movement of the whole engine unit is too much and it's actually knocking the lever out of gear (or the gear linkage neads aligning)
or the actual gearbox has a fault. I belive there is normally a spring loaded ball that hold the selctor fork in play. either that has lost it's grip or wear has reduced it's effectiveness.

I'd probably go to my nearest garage and get it up on a ramp so it can be run and gear changed whilst the gear linkage is observed.

Thanks Pat, there does feel to be a lot of movement if you hold the gear lever as you accelerate/decelerate.

As you say I probably need to get it booked in and checked over.

I'd expect some movement as the engine will lean backwards during accelaration and pitch backwards during engine breaking.
But it maywell be the the engine mountings are worn or loose and allowing excessive movement.

Hi nejones
ive got that same prob with the clunking noise and ive been told its the cv joint, where did you get those quotes from as im in walsall (not a stones throw from costa del tipton) as i need one asap as ive been told if it gives way it could be very dangerous and did anyone ever get back to you about how good the prices were ?
cheers Jay

Jayw try 0121 556 1201 for the cv joints, the parts shop is in trouse lane, wednesbury.

is that a midwest place ?

they quoted me £63.50 is that about what they go 4 ? and what am i lookin at for fitting ?

I had two simalar problems with my Mk1 Ulysse, it was the engine mounts that were at fault the excess movement caused the gear to jump and the clonking noise was the exhust knocking underneath.

just been back to the garage and they said " the cv joints are sound mate, no need to replace them" which if it turns out to be right thats very decent of them not to try and rip me off. my clonking noise only happens when the car is staionairy and you put full lock on both ways, but when i put it on the ramps at the garage and they lifted it up and turned the wheels (how would you guess) it didnt happen, so i looked like a prized prick, as soon as i took it off the ramp and back onto the garage forecourt guess what ? it started again !!!!! then the bloke said i think its just your power streering pipes moving when you put full lock on and one of the metal connecters is hitting agaist the frame (bull**** i thought) so back on the ramps we went and he cable tied them up, back off the ramps yet again and guess what ? no difference ( he looked like the prized prick and very embarresed) feeling like a total knobhead the bloke said " bring it back tomorrow so our MOT tester can take it for a drive and see what he thinks " so hopefully tomorrow all should be sorted (as long as he dont say " its your power steering tubes" lol)

yeah i no this is a bit of usless info but i thought it was funny as hell as the kids turned round to me and said " Dad , i think im goin to be a fix your car man (lol) cus all you need is sum of them plastic things(cable ties)"

so we are now calling that garage the CABLE TIE GARAGE

been told now(by a bloke at work who used 2 b a bit of a mechanic) its the ball joint at the bottom of the steering rack :0| think i'll see wot this other garage says today